Bib with collar-protecting flap

ABSTRACT

A bib with collar-protecting flap, the bib generally comprising a body portion made from an absorbent material and having a neckline around the front of a wearer&#39;s neck and below the wearer&#39;s chin, and a collar-protecting flap that is made from an absorbent material and has a top edge that is attached to a lower portion of the neckline through at least one attaching device. The collar-protecting flap is folded over and behind the wearer&#39;s front shirt collar to secure the bib on the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/964,445, filed on Aug. 13, 2007, incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates generally to the art of bibs and protectivecoverings. More particularly, the invention relates to bibs having acollar-protecting flap adapted to protect a wearer's shirt collar and toprevent irritation to the skin on the wearer's collar and chest areas.

2. Background

Many substances carry the potential of staining a person's clothing orirritating a person's skin on contact. For example, while a baby ortoddler is being fed, foods or drinks may spill, drop, or trickle ontohis or her clothing, behind his or her shirt, and/or onto the skin ofhis or her collar and chest areas. As a result, the clothing may becomestained, requiring the parent or caregiver to wash the clothing anddress the baby or toddler in a clean change of clothes. In instanceswhen the clothing becomes permanently stained, it is renderedundesirable for future wearing. As a further result, the skin on thebaby's or toddler's collar and chest areas may become irritated,possibly leading to the development of a skin rash. Thus, babies andtoddlers need a protective covering that shields both their clothing,including their shirt collar, and the skin on their neck and chestareas.

It can be immediately appreciated by one skilled in the art that allconsumers of food and drinks, the elderly, persons with disabilities,food and beverage service workers, dental and medical patients andstaff, artists, barber and beauty shop patrons, and other individualsdesiring protection from substances that stain clothing or irritate skinhave an identical need. Such individuals are especially prone to sufferfrom clothing stains and skin irritation resulting from contact withcertain substances, including not only foods and drinks, but also bodilyfluids such as blood and saliva, and liquids and solvents such as paint,paint thinner, and hair treatment products.

Conventional bibs are well known devices that attempt to protect awearer's clothing from stain-causing substances. However, conventionalbibs are not affixed to the wearer's shirt collar. Therefore,stain-causing substances may soil exposed areas of the wearer's shirtcollar, or further, may seep through a gap between the wearer's neck andthe neckline of the conventional bib, thereby soiling areas of thewearer's shirt collar beneath the bib and reaching the skin on thewearer's collar and chest areas. Such contact with the skin carries thepotential of irritating the skin and leading to the development of askin rash.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,492,599, 2,523,565, 2,782,420, 3,857,116, 3,945,048,4,442,552, 5,056,159, 5,956,763, 5,991,919, 6,151,716, 6,282,716, and6,385,774 disclose bibs having collar or “tuck-in” flaps that attempt toaddress some or all of these problems. However, each one of thesereferences suffers from one or more disadvantages. For example, severalof such bibs are constructed entirely of disposable materials, beingmade for only single or temporary use. The frequent disposal of suchbibs leads to an unnecessary increase in environmental waste. Further,the disposable materials comprising such bibs, such as paper, quicklybecome saturated and are therefore less effective in absorbing thevolumes of substances that may be spilled by bib wearers such as babiesand toddlers. Other bibs disclosed above are made from impermeable orwaterproof materials, which materials are also problematic because theycause such bibs to propagate spilled substances onto exposed areas ofthe wearer's clothing and skin and onto the floor.

Another disadvantage posed by certain bibs of the above references is aconstruction that prevents variation of the material comprising thecollar flap from the material comprising the remainder of the bib. Suchbibs, for example, do not satisfy the needs of wearers requiring moreabsorption in the collar flap area than in the remaining areas of thebib, and vice-versa. Further, other above-referenced bibs areconstructed such that the collar flap is not easy to tuck behind thewearer's shirt collar, thereby causing frustration during the process ofaffixing the bib to the wearer.

Therefore, what is needed is a bib with a collar-protecting flap thatdoes not suffer from the aforementioned disadvantages, that protects thewearer's clothing including his or her shirt collar from stain-causingsubstances, that prevents such substances from reaching and irritatingthe skin on the person's collar and chest areas, that has a body portionmade from durable and absorbent materials that may be laundered formultiple uses, that may be constructed from various absorptivematerials, that has a collar-protecting flap that is easily affixed tothe wearer's shirt collar, and that further provides for protectionagainst multiple substances including foods, drinks, bodily fluids suchas blood and saliva, and liquids and solvents such as paint, paintthinner, and hair treatment products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioneddeficiencies by providing a bib with a collar-protecting flap thatprevents clothing and shirt collar stains and irritation to the skin onthe wearer's collar and chest areas, that has qualities of beingabsorbent, durable, reusable, and washable, that may be constructed fromone or more absorptive materials, and that has an easily affixablecollar-protecting flap.

The bib generally comprises a body portion made from an absorbentmaterial and having a neckline around the front of a wearer's neck andbelow the wearer's chin, and a collar-protecting flap that is made froman absorbent material and that is attached to a lower portion of theneckline through at least one attaching device. The collar-protectingflap is folded over and behind the wearer's front shirt collar to securethe bib on the wearer. Because the collar-protecting flap is comprisedof a separate piece of absorbent material than that comprising the bodyportion of the bib, the material comprising the collar-protecting flapmay be varied from the material comprising the body portion.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a neck support isextended from a left upper region and a right upper region of the bodyportion of the bib, the neck support being fixable around the wearer'sneck. In this first embodiment, the present invention advantageouslyenables, among other things, the bib to be secured to the wearer throughboth the collar-protecting flap and the neck support.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neck supportcomprises a left strap extending from the left upper region of the bodyportion, the left strap having a left strap end, a right strap extendingfrom the right upper region of the body portion, the right strap havinga right strap end, and a fastener for fastening the left strap end tothe right strap end. The collar-protecting flap, the top edge of whichis attached to the lower portion of the neckline through the attachingdevices at a first and second position, and the body portion of the bibhave a substantially similar curvilinear configuration, and the bib isfurther comprised of an outer perimeter encased by a bib binding. Inthis preferred embodiment, the present invention advantageously enables,among other things, snug attachment of the bib around the neck of thewearer to seal any gaps between the wearer's neck and the neckline ofthe bib through which substances may leak. It further enables, amongother things, prevention from the outer perimeter from becoming frayedor otherwise damaged though incorporation of the bib binding.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, a second flap, which ispreferably a washcloth, is attached to the body portion of the bib in aposition that does not interfere with the folding of thecollar-protecting flap over and behind the wearer's shirt collar. Inthis third embodiment, the present invention advantageously enables,among other things, the second flap to be readily available for use inwiping the wearer's face, for example, during a feeding.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bib witha collar-protecting flap that protects the wearer's clothing includinghis or her shirt collar from stain-causing substances.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bib with acollar-protecting flap that prevents such substances from reaching andirritating the skin on the wearer's collar and chest areas, therebypreventing the development of a possible skin rash.

It is a yet another object of the present invention to provide a bibwith a collar-protecting flap that has qualities of being absorbent,durable, reusable, and washable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bib with acollar-protecting flap that may be constructed from materials havingvarious absorptive qualities.

It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a bibwith a collar-protecting flap that may be easily affixed to the wearer'sshirt collar.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide abib with a collar-protecting flap that provides for protection againstmultiple substances including foods, drinks, bodily fluids such as bloodand saliva, and liquids and solvents such as paint, paint thinner, andhair treatment products.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which particular andpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown and discussed. Thisinvention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so thatthis disclosure will be thorough, complete, and will convey the fullscope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Further, it is notnecessary that all embodiments of the invention fulfill all of theobjects set forth hereinabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bib with a collar-protecting flapplaced on a wearer according to principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bib with a collar-protecting flap accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the present inventionshowing a second flap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 hereof, a bib with acollar-protecting flap 10 in accordance with the present inventiongenerally comprises a body portion 12 made from an absorbent materialand having a neckline 14 around the front of a wearer's neck and belowthe wearer's chin, the neckline 14 having a lower portion 16, and acollar-protecting flap 18 made from an absorbent material. Thecollar-protecting flap 18 has a top edge 20 that is attached to thelower portion 16 of the neckline 14 through at least one attachingdevice 22. Further, the collar-protecting flap 18 is foldable over andbehind the wearer's shirt collar to facilitate securing the bib 10 tothe wearer. Attaching device 22 is preferably stitches of thread, butmay also be strips of hook and loop fastening material, commonly soldunder the trademark “Velcro,” snaps, buttons, tie strings, adhesives,hooks, and the like. It is intended that attaching device 22 includesany structure presently existing or developed in the future that performthe same function.

In a first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the body portion 12 comprisesa left upper region 24 and a right upper region 26. The neckline 14 ispositioned between the left upper region 24 and the right upper region26. A neck support 28 extends from the left upper region 24 and theright upper region 26 and is fixable around the wearer's neck to furthersecure the bib 10 to the wearer.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2,the neck support 28 comprises a left strap 30 extending from the leftupper region 24 of the body portion 12, and a right strap 32 extendingfrom the right upper region 26 of the body portion 12. The left strap 30and the right strap 32 are preferably comprised of cotton interlockmaterial, but one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that othercotton materials and other absorbent materials such as terrycloth andfleece may be used. The left strap 30 has a left strap end 34 that isfastened to a right strap end 36 on the right strap 32 by fastener 38.Fastener 38 is preferably strips of hook and loop fastening material,commonly sold under the trademark “Velcro,” but may also be snaps,buttons, tie strings, adhesives, hooks, and the like. It is intendedthat fastener 38 includes any structure presently existing or developedin the future that perform the same function.

The body portion 12, like the collar-protecting flap 18, is preferablymade from cotton interlock material, although other cotton materials andother absorbent materials such as terrycloth and fleece may be used. Thecollar-protecting flap 18 may optionally be made from paper that may bedisposed of after use while the remaining bib 10 may be laundered andreused. Notably, the body portion 12 and the collar-protecting flap 18need not be comprised of the same absorbent material.

The top edge 20 of the collar-protecting flap 18 is attached to thelower portion 16 of the neckline 14 through the attaching devices 22located at a first position 40 and a second position 42. In thepreferred embodiment of the bib 10 for wearers that are newborn to sixmonths old, the first position 40 and the second position 42 arepreferably approximately five inches apart, the top edge 20 of thecollar-protecting flap 18 is approximately two and one-half inches froma bottom edge 44 of the collar-protecting flap 18, and a left edge 46 ofthe collar-protecting flap 18 is approximately six and one-half inchesfrom a right edge 48 of the collar-protecting flap 18.

The bib 10 has an outer perimeter 50 encased by a bib binding 52.Preferably, the bib binding 52 is preferably comprised of bias tape,however, bib binding 52 may also be comprised of cotton materials suchas cotton interlock, or other materials such as terrycloth and fleece.

In a third embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3, asecond flap 54 is attached to the body portion 12 in a position thatdoes not interfere with the folding of the collar-protecting flap 18over and behind the wearer's shirt collar. The second flap 54 isfoldable to facilitate wiping the wearer's face. Preferably, the secondflap 54 is a washcloth, although one skilled in the art wouldimmediately appreciate that the second flap 54 may be comprised ofcotton materials such as cotton interlock, as well as other materialssuch as terrycloth, fleece, and paper.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and otherembodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in theart to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be andare covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It isindeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined byproper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relyingupon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

1. A bib, comprising: a body portion made from an absorbent material and having a neckline, the neckline having a lower portion; a collar-protecting flap made from an absorbent material and having a top edge attached to the lower portion of the neckline through at least one attaching device, the collar flap being folded over and behind a wearer's front shirt collar to secure the bib on the wearer.
 2. The bib of claim 1, wherein each attaching device comprises stitches of thread, strips of hook and loop fastening material, zippers, snaps, buttons and button holes, tie strings, adhesives, or hooks and eyes.
 3. The bib of claim 2, wherein the body portion further comprises a left upper region and a right upper region, and wherein the neckline is positioned between the left upper region and the right upper region.
 4. The bib of claim 3, further comprising a neck support extending from the left upper region of the body portion and the right upper region of the body portion, the neck support being placed around the wearer's neck to further secure the bib on the wearer.
 5. The bib of claim 4, wherein the neck support comprises: a left strap extending from the left upper region of the body portion, the left strap having a left strap end; a right strap extending from the right upper region of the body portion, the right strap having a right strap end; and a fastener for fastening the left strap end to the right strap end.
 6. The bib of claim 5, wherein the fastener is strips of hook and loop fastening material, snaps, buttons and button holes, tie strings, adhesives, or hooks and eyes.
 7. The bib of claim 17, wherein the lower portion of the neckline further includes a first position and a second position, and wherein the top edge of the collar-protecting flap is attached through the attaching devices at the first position and the second position.
 8. The bib of claim 7, wherein the absorbent material of the body portion is comprised of cotton interlock, other cotton materials, terrycloth, or fleece.
 9. The bib of claim 8, wherein the absorbent material of the collar-protecting flap is comprised of cotton interlock, other cotton materials, terrycloth, fleece, or paper.
 10. The bib of claim 9, wherein the left strap and the right strap are comprised of cotton interlock, other cotton materials, terrycloth, or fleece.
 11. The bib of claim 10, wherein the first position of the neckline and second position of the neckline are approximately five inches apart.
 12. The bib of claim 11, wherein the collar-protecting flap further includes a bottom edge, and wherein the top edge is approximately two and one-half inches from the bottom edge of the collar-protecting flap.
 13. The bib of claim 12, wherein the collar-protecting flap further comprises a left edge and a right edge which are approximately six and one-half inches apart.
 14. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a second flap attached to a front side of the body portion of the bib such that the collar-protecting flap remains foldable to facilitate securing the bib to the collar on the wearer's shirt, the second flap being foldable to facilitate wiping the wearer's face.
 15. The bib of claim 14, wherein the second flap is a washcloth.
 16. The bib of claim 14, wherein the second flap is comprised of cotton interlock, other cotton materials, terrycloth, fleece, or paper.
 17. The bib of claim 6, wherein the top edge of the collar protecting flap is attached to a back side of the body portion at the lower portion of the neckline through the attaching devices. 